When it comes to Jesus’ teaching on money, it’s often in parables. Luke, more than the other gospel writers, records Jesus’ words on this subject.
Money occupies a lot of our thoughts. So many hopes, fears, dreams, and conflicts are connected to money. Jesus speaks to our attitudes about and our use of money and possessions.
There are a few common themes that run through Jesus’ teaching on this subject. Some of these themes are: a) guard your heart against loving money because money is a demanding master, b) money must be seen from an eternal perspective, and c) using money only for yourself is short sighted and foolish.
As we come to the parable in Luke 12: 13–26, we’ll see those themes articulated. In this passage we’ll look at:
Jesus’ context
Jesus’ warning
Jesus’ perspective
Jesus’ Context
Luke sets the stage in verse 1. There are many thousands who had gathered to be around Jesus. In verse 13 a man steps out of the crowd and breaks into the conversation Jesus is having with his disciples.
The man is in a dispute with his brother about dividing up their estate. In Jewish culture the oldest brother oversaw the family’s money when the father died. This younger brother is wanting his share. Why is he coming to Jesus to resolve the matter?
He refers to Jesus as “teacher” as a title of honour. Jesus is recognized as having authority and in Jewish culture conflicts could be brought to a teacher or rabbi for resolution.
The man asks Jesus to “tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus gives the man a hard “no” and gives him a warning.
I wonder as well if this man appealed to Jesus because Jesus had a lot to say about money. The man had a money problem, and he turned to a teacher who spoke often about money.
Jesus then (in verse 16) tells the parable about the wealthy man. If you’re a follower of Jesus this message is particularly for you. But then those who are interested get to listen in to what Jesus is teaching his disciples.
His teaching on money is motivated by the desire that his hearers would be free from the tyranny of having money and possessions rule their life. It’s always about being free from worry and anxiety over money.
The Warning
Look at verse 15; “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”
These two brothers thought that their conflict was over money. Jesus was able to identify the issue that was the root of the problem. Conflicts over money reveal what’s in the heart.
If Jesus would have agreed to arbitrate or mediate it would not solve the problem of greed that lay at the root of their conflict.
When he says “watch out” it can carry the idea of “staring at” something. Don’t avert your attention. When greed is identified, don’t ignore it.
The challenge with that is that greed is difficult to detect in oneself. It’s usually easier to see it in others.
The NIV uses the word greed. Older translations use the word “covetousness.” The two are very similar but the nuances are helpful. Covetousness sees something and wants what it sees. That moves to needing it, and finally to “I deserve it.”
Greed is the insatiable desire for more. The word “enough” is not in greed’s vocabulary. Greed is forever discontented and therefore insatiably craving and striving for more.
Behind greed is the idea that if I have more stuff—if my bank account is bigger—then I will experience the true peace, happiness, and fulfillment I deserve. Jesus counters that lie in his warning; life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.
As the story begins, Jesus is describing someone that our culture says is “living the dream.” His business is farming, and he’s gotten wealthy. He has a problem that every business owner longs to experience: his business has grown beyond his expectations. He’s harvested more crops than he has storage capacity.
Jesus’ next words fall like a sledgehammer, “God said to him “You fool.” Why was he a fool?
He forgot where his wealth came from.
Notice that in verse 16 Jesus tells us how he came to enjoy a bountiful harvest; “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.”
What we have comes from God—He’s the owner and I’m the manager. In looking at the rich man’s words there is no thought of God. In fact, in verses 17–19 where Jesus reveals the man’s thoughts it’s filled with “me,” “myself,” and “I.”
It’s foolish to think that you got to where you are without God. And even more foolish to act as if you have ultimate control over your life. Jesus reinforces the foolishness of this man’s mindset by the announcement that he wouldn’t be alive by the next morning.
He viewed money as security.
He was foolish because he believed the lie that money equals security. He assumed that the more you have the more secure you are. The scriptures counter this foolish way of thinking.
The wise man Solomon who was very wealthy writes:
Proverbs 11:28, “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”
Proverbs 23: 4–5, “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.”
In 1 Timothy 6:17 Paul writes to young Pastor Timothy, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant not to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain…”
It’s not that money and possessions can be taken from you. It’s that they will be taken from you.
And Jesus asks the question to make the point, “Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” We don’t know the answer to that question, but we know this—it won’t be him.
Jesus’ Perspective
Jesus’ consistent messaging around money is that how I use my money in this life has a great effect in the next life. We see it here in verse 21, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
It's the punchline of the parable. Note here that this is not a blanket condemnation of savings and pension funds. Jesus’ indictment of this man is that he stored up for himself but was not generous toward God.
He had managed money and possessions without regard for God and for making an eternal difference.
God is my provider.
It’s at this point that Jesus turns from speaking to these two fighting brothers and now speaks to his disciples. Jesus reminds them how God provides for birds and flowers. He feeds them even though they don’t store away food. He clothes the fields with the beauty of wildflowers.
If God feeds insignificant nameless birds who live for a few years and are forgotten, how much more will he look after you? If you’re a follower of Jesus, you never have to spend a moment’s energy worrying about the necessities of life.
For those who belong to a Heavenly Father who knows what we need and when we need it, worry is inappropriate and unnecessary.
Because we belong to our Heavenly Father, we have a different relationship with money. In verse 33 when Jesus says to sell your possessions and give to the poor, it’s because we are free to be generous. I don’t need to fear that somehow if I’m generous that God won’t provide.
The message from this parable of the rich fool is this; what you hang on to you’ll lose. It will be destroyed and ultimately, you’ll forfeit ownership.
What you give to God will last. As we embrace this upside-down kingdom we are invited into the joy and fulfillment that Father God intends.
— Notes from Pastor Marvin Wojda’s sermons on March 19th and 20th, 2022.
CLICK HERE to watch the sermon on YouTube.